Adjustable wrench



Nov. 1, 1932. ANDREWS 1,886,146

ADJUSTABLE WRENCH Filed Oct. 14, 1930 r j J Cix-ZTGR WW z Patented Nov.1, 1932 UNITED STATES assent PATENT orr cs FREDERICK HAROLD ANDREWS, OFTAIHAPE, NEW ZEALAND, ASSIGNOR TO BROOKS, OF KARORI, WELLINGTON, NEWZEALAND ADJUSTA'BLE WRENCH Application filed October 14, 1930, SerialNo. 488,612, and in New Zealand August 18, 1930.

This invention relates to adjustable wrenches and the like where amovable jaw is slidably adjustable upon the stock of a fixed jaw withmeans for holding it in different positions on the stock.

The object of the present invention is to prevent any slipping movementof the movable jaw during operation but which, at the stock and slidablebetween the edge of the stock and the tapered edge of the space andoperable by a lever pivoted to the sliding 2o jaw. The taper of thewedge is preferably very slight in order to provide a jambing effectbetween the stock and the sliding jaw. The lever which is pivoted to themovable j aw is adapted to engage the wedge by being piv- 25 otallyconnected to it in order that as the lever is operated it may eitherforce the wedge into position for tightening or releasing such wedge forthe purpose of adjusting the movable jaw. 30 The invention will bedescribed with the aid of the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 isas side elevation of a wrench. Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showingthe wrench in a movable position. 3 Figure 3 is a cross section throughthe wrench in the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4: is a cross section along line A-A Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view of a movable jaw. 40 Figure 6 is a side view partlyin section of an alternative form of wrench.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan on line 3-13, Figure 6.

Referring to the drawing, the wrench consists of a fixed jaw 1 with itsstock 2 having a movable jaw 3 adapted to slide thereon and having arecess or space 4: to receive a sliding wedge 5 located between theunder edge of the stock and the edge 6 of the space which is tapered tocoincide with the taper of the wedge. A lever 7 is bifurcated so as tohave I 1 forks 8. and 9 which are pivoted on pins 10 and 11 projectingfrom the side of theniovable jaw 3. A pin 12 passes through the" wedge 5and through slots 13 and lt in the movable jaw 3 and into slots 15 and16 in the '1 The holes 15 and forks 8 and 9 of the lever 7. 16 aresuttficiently elongated so that during the arcuate movement of the forksthe wedge 5 can freely perform parallel sliding motion against theunderside of the stock. The slots 13 and 14 in the jaw 3 are suffciently long for the wedge to have sufiicient parallel movement duringoperation.

While the lever 7. is in an upward or free position as'in Figures 2 and3 the aw 3 is free to slide along the stock and may be adjusted to anydesired position thereon. When the lever t is drawn. towards a closed position, as in Figure 1, the forks 8 and 9 will.

move the wedge into the space at causingit to wedge between theunderside of the stock and the tapered edge 6 of the space 4, therebywedging and locking the jaw 3 upon the stock. Owing to the wedge havinga very slight taper the wedging is effective to prevent all rearwardmovement of the jaw 3 when the wrench is in operation. I

In order to release the wrench from its closed position, it may benecessary to tap the lever 7 with a hammer or the like in order torelease the wedge from between the stock and the edge 6.

In Figures 6 and 7 a modification or variation of the invention isshown. In this case, the jaw 18 has its stock 19 slidable through a jaw20 having a handle 21. A space 22 for the wedge 23 is provided in thesliding jaw behind the stock of the fixed jaw, the wedge 23 beingoperable by a lever 24 having forks 25 and 26 pivoted ona-pin 27 in thesliding jaw, the forks having slots 28 and 29 to receive a pin 30 fromthe wedge passing through slots 31 in the jaw 20.

It will be clearly seen that when the handle 21 and the lever 24 arebrought together that the wedge 23 is tightened against the edge inposition during operations.

The jaws of either of the wrenches shown may be shaped according to anyof the known shapes of'such jaws and be made to fit any specially shapednuts or provided with diverging jaws and serrated edges for use as a piwrench or the like.

i ltltalaim is "-1: than stable wrench; a fixed jaw, a

stock carried y said jaw, an adjnsta'ble'jaw -{nelp borslidablyreceiving said stock a' slid wed loca tai i n the spacebetween the 7 aadjustab e jaw member and the'stock, a lever having an angularbifurcated ehdnthwbifun cations of said lever receiving the adjustablejamlflber and beingpiwotallymnneebed to I 1 the portions of thelatterove lying the stock "midwhythe'length' bf the slid rig wedge,"saidadjustable jaw member having the portions thereof lying at oppositesides of thewedge Iii Slotted, a pin carried by the wedgeprojectingthrough said slots and'permitting move ment of said wedgerelatively to theadjustable member, the bifurcations of said leverhaving slots therein disclosed substantially perpendicularly to thefirst mentioned slots andreceivin said pin to accommodate axial movementof said wedge.

2.11 wrench as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said pin islocated substanw tially midway the length of the wedge to accommodateangular movement of the latter. In testimony whereof, I have signed myname to this specification.

" FREDERICK HAROLD ANDREWS.

